Census 2020
We All Count
The United States census is conducted every 10 years in accordance with the U.S. Constitution. The goal is to count every single person living in the entire country. A complete count is essential to many aspects of life, from the allocation of millions of dollars in federal funds to Monterey County for schools, roads, housing, health services, to political representation at all levels of government and economic development impact for the region.
Not counting someone doesn’t mean they’re not here. Loss of funding because of undercounting means California and Monterey County won’t have resources to implement programs for the full complement of people in need.”
The Challenges – Quick Facts
While the census carries major implications for all of us, we face serious challenges in having a fair and accurate count.
- Monterey County has one of the highest hard-to-count populations in California: of the population of 437,907 35% or 151,262 people live in hard-to-count areas.
- Hard-to-count populations are some of the most vulnerable, including low-income communities, immigrants, indigenous communities, the homeless, people of color and children ages 0-5.
- For the first time ever, most questionnaires will be collected online, making it difficult for households that lack digital access to participate. 9% of Monterey County’s households have either no internet access or dial up-only.
- The possibility of including the citizenship question is still expected to suppress participation within immigrant communities despite the June 27 Supreme Court ruling to exclude it.
- For each person not counted, more than $2,000 per person in federal aid in Monterey County will be lost annually, or $20,000 per person over 10 years until the next census.
- If just 1% of California residents are not counted, California will lose over $770 million in annual federal funding.
Census 2020 Fund
The Community Foundation for Monterey County is committed to supporting efforts for education and outreach for hard-to-count populations by establishing a pooled fund to ensure all residents are counted. Grants from the fund will be awarded to nonprofit organizations working to educate and engage hard-to-count communities.
Please consider a contribution to the Census 2020 Fund for an accurate and complete count of ALL people who live and work in Monterey County.
Census 2020 Grants
| Action Council of Monterey County Census 2020 Collaborative (Building Healthy Communities, Central Coast Labor Council and COPA) | $70,000 |
| California Rural Legal Assistance | $30,000 |
| Castroville Coalition | $15,000 |
| Catholic Charities | $5,000 |
| Center for Community Advocacy | $80,000 |
| Central Coast Center for Independent Living | $20,000 |
| Community Association of Big Sur | $25,000 |
| Centro Binacional Para el Desarollo Indigena Oaxaqueno | $25,000 |
| CHISPA | $60,000 |
| City of Seaside | $21,000 |
| Coalition of Homeless Services Providers | $65,650 |
| Community Builders for Monterey County | $40,000 |
| First 5 Monterey County | $40,000 |
| Lideres Campesinas | $34,000 |
| Loaves, Fishes and Computers (LFC) | $10,000 |
| Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance (PVPSA) | $10,000 |
| Radio Bilingue | $42,000 |
| United Way Monterey County | $15,000 |
| University Corporation at Monterey Bay | $15,000 |
Take the Census
Resources
General
- Census 101
- Community Foundation for Monterey County President’s Blog
- What’s at Stake for the Central Coast
- For Businesses
- The Business Case for an Accurate 2020 Census
- Data for a Strong Economy – Securing an accurate 2020 U.S. Census is essential for business
For Nonprofits
- How nonprofits can participate in the Census: https://www.nonprofitvote.org/nonprofitscount/
- Collaborate: Join the Monterey County Complete Count Committee
- Salinas Action Team: https://www.cityofsalinas.org/2020Census
Monterey County Census Video Shows Importance of Complete Count
Hard-to-Count Areas in Monterey County
President’s Blog: The Citizenship Question
By Dan Baldwin, President/CEO, Community Foundation for Monterey County The Citizenship Question April 2020 seems like a long way off,...
